title: Ibogaine related sudden death: a case report.
abstract: Ibogaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from the roots of the rain forest shrub Tabernanthe iboga. Deaths have occurred temporarily related to the use of ibogaine. However, although not licensed as therapeutic drug, and despite evidence that ibogaine may disturb the rhythm of the heart, this alkaloid is currently used as an anti-addiction drug in alternative medicine for detoxification purposes. We report the case of a man who died suddenly 12-24 h after ibogaine use for alcohol detoxification treatment. In the autopsy liver cirrhosis and heavy fatty infiltration was found. The concentration of ibogaine was 2 mg/l. The potential risks of ibogaine use, especially for persons with pathological medical background, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, M. Asias 75, Goudi, Athens 115 27, Greece. Electronic address: stpapd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stavroula A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Papadodima
authors.forename: Artemis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dona
authors.forename: Christos I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Evaggelakos
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goutas
authors.forename: Sotirios A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Athanaselis
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005235:Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007050:Ibogaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D007050:Ibogaine
keywords: Autopsy; Cardiac death; Death; Fatty infiltration of the liver; Ibogaine